The trial of an American journalist on espionage charges in Russia has begun in a closed-door hearing, sparking condemnation from his newspaper and the United States. The journalist, 32, was arrested while reporting for the Wall Street Journal, covering the war in Ukraine. The trial is taking place in Yekaterinburg, where he was accused of spying for the CIA. The US government and the WSJ have denied the charges.
The trial started behind closed doors, with the journalist facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The US State Department has called for his immediate release, stating that the charges should never have been brought. The trial is expected to last months, with no access granted to reporters, friends, or family members.
